Fonseka’s call to arms!

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

It looks as if there is a new leader of the Aragalaya, self-appointed perhaps! Judging by the fiery speech of SJB MP Sarath Fonseka, made during the debate on the declaration of the current emergency, there is no doubt that he was offering himself to be the leader of the revolution. It was addressed more to the general populace than his colleagues and it was pretty obvious that he is trying to fill the supposed vacuum of the lack of a proper leadership for the revolution. Though some commentators opine that this is the reason for the lack of full fruition of the revolution, perhaps, there are other reasons too. Obviously, the most important is that it had been a negative revolution, so far, dictating who should go with no hint of replacements! There are hardly any solutions offered to solve the deepening economic crisis. In fact, one may argue that if not for the “Aragalaya”, the elected politicians, however bad they are, may have made things better by now, as they would have had the time to concentrate their efforts on rebuilding the economy. If not for the political instability, an agreement with IMF would have been in place now.

At one time it looked as if the leader of the FSP was heading the revolution. Though his nominee got only 8,219 votes, meagre 0.06% of the votes cast at the last presidential election, he behaved as if he had a massive mandate!

Then it looked as if the JVP leader was running the show. He cast himself before his parliamentary colleagues to be elected president and got his votes plus that of the proposer and seconder. A cynic commented that his 3% became 3 out of 225! As they have faded off, Fonseka is now dreaming of leading the revolution in the hope that bizarre circumstances may catapult him to be president, just like Ranil did, provided of course, he displaces Ranil; the man who induced him to politics and the taste of political power!

Fonseka’s call to arms would have been more appropriate at a political rally than in the parliament and he made some sweeping statements which warrant verification. He stated that, maybe as the chairman of SJB, he and his party will join in the final battle to remove corrupt rulers from power on August 9, 2022. Perhaps, he conveniently forgot that his party too is full of corrupt politicians and that his reputation too is not without blemish. The episode of the sizeable amount of foreign currency found with his daughter’s mother-in-law, shortly after his defeat at the presidential election, comes to mind. Interestingly, the very next day, one of the vociferous SJB MP’s declared that no such decision had been taken by the party. It looks as if the chairmen of the SJB and the SLPP are in similar predicaments!

He said: “The President should know that more than 95% of the security forces and the police are with the protesting masses. Security forces and the police also should not follow orders and attack the protesters.” The former army commander is instructing forces to disobey! If 95% of armed forces are not with the government, are we heading for a coup?

He went on to say: “It will only be possible to form a new government by bringing a new front comprising non corrupted persons in the opposition and in the government. I don’t mean that the new government after the struggle would be an SJB-led one.” Funny, for the chairman to admit the ineptness of his own party! Or, is it that he does not want the leader of his party to lead the new government? Perhaps, he wants to lead the new government!

He further said: “One has to understand that collateral damage takes place during an uprising. It should also be understood that the youth who took over state-owned buildings did so on behalf of the people. They wanted the give people something more. Therefore, one should not shout about damaging state-owned buildings” and added that he does not condone the arrest of a protester inside an aircraft! A person who invaded Rupavahini was attempting to escape, evading a warrant issued by the Court for a previous charge, having shaved the revolutionary beard and trimmed the hair locks to change appearance, when the police quite rightly, executed the warrant. He made a scene shouting that his neck was being squeezed whereas it was obvious from the videos that no such thing was happening! Is Fonseka defending the indefensible to curry favour? Is this the law and order that will prevail in the unlikely event he becomes the leader?

Fonseka has been undermining Sajith. If he wishes to do so he should follow the example of Champika and leave the SJB. In sharp contrast, SJB convert Dayan Jayatilleke in his article “Aragalaya” arrested or “Aragalaya” unfinished?” (The Island, 30 July), though he seems in agreement with Fonseka by stating “That is why “RANIL RESIGN!” must resonate and resound in the final phase of the great national liberation struggle for freedom and democracy in our lifetimes: the “Aragalaya!“, demonstrates unwavering support for Sajith and elucidates a new form of democracy to make Sajit president. He states:

“The economic recovery is deadlocked not only by the obvious problems of the chicken-and-the egg, IMF and the creditors conundrum. It is deadlocked even tighter now, by President Ranil’s choices and actions. He should have stepped down and made way for a political leader with some mass base, who could have made a fresh start and had a better shot at managing the crisis. Since Sajith Premadasa bravely ran against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in November 2019, and lost by only 10%, missing the magic 50% mark by only 8%, he would have been the logical first option.” Perhaps, 21A or 22A, whatever it is called, should include a new clause that the presidential replacement should be the runner-up provided he misses the magic 50% mark by less than 10%!

He forgets that Sajith has amply demonstrated that he shies away from responsibility in spite of talking big. After the loss at the presidential election, Sajith disappeared vowing to look after Yala leopards henceforth! On the resignation of Mahinda, when Gota offered him premiership, Sajith refused giving flimsy excuses. At a crucial juncture in our history, when all politicians should have united to save the economy, shedding petty differences, Sajith dodged out. It was one of his own MPs who said he likes but scared: Aasai namuth bayai! He withdrew from the presidential election in parliament fearing defeat! Under Sajith SJB has become AJB; Asamagi Jana Balavegaya! The actions of the chairman are proof enough!! Dayan also overlooks the fact that Sajith is unlikely to be accepted by the “Aragalaya”: for when Sajith visited the Galle Face green to pledge solidarity with the Aragalists, they beat him!